Piston valve with annular passages

ABSTRACT

A control valve ( 10 ) includes a valve body with a plurality of ports (A, B, C, D, E, F) and a plurality of annular flow passages ( 53, 55, 57 ). A piston ( 34 ) which includes a plurality of annular flow passages and a longitudinal flow passage is selectively movable within a bore ( 32 ) within the valve body through operation of a valve controller ( 70 ). The valve controller is selectively operative to control the position of the piston so as to enable liquid flow through a plurality of flow paths. The valve controller further includes a installable and removable valve controller housing ( 74 ) which is releasibly engageable with a valve base ( 72 ). The valve may include a changeable piston and changeable injector and plug components to adapt the valve to different flow and fluid mixing requirements.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to piston valves with annular passages which maybe classified in CPC Class F16K 11/0716; US Class 137, Subclass 625.69.Exemplary embodiments relate to valve arrangements that are utilized inconnection with devices which require fluid flow through multiple flowpaths, for example, systems for water treatment.

BACKGROUND

Valve arrangements for controlling the flow of liquids may have numerousdifferent forms. In situations where the liquid is required to beselectively directed to multiple different flow paths, such arrangementscan be complex. Additional complexity may arise when different flowsequences and flow paths are required in connection with differentprocess steps involving a liquid. Further complexity arises when liquidsare required to be mixed with other fluids in connection with carryingout process flows.

Valve arrangements may benefit from improvements.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments include a valve arrangement that is capable ofselectively directing a liquid to multiple different flow paths. Theexemplary embodiment includes a control valve having a valve body. Theexemplary valve body includes an elongated longitudinal cylinder bore.The cylinder bore is in fluid communication with a plurality ofdifferent liquid ports which include inlet and outlet ports. The portsare in fluid connection with a plurality of respective generally annularpassages extending adjacent to the bore within the valve.

A valve element comprising piston is movably positionable longitudinallywithin the cylinder bore. The exemplary piston includes a profileconfiguration which includes a plurality of longitudinally disposedannular flow cavities. Selectively positioning the piston longitudinallyin the bore through operation of a valve controller causes the differentports of the valve to be placed in fluid communication. The exemplaryvalve controller is operative to enable the valve to be used inconjunction with other process equipment for purposes of selectivelydirecting the flow of liquid through the equipment in different flowpaths during a plurality of process steps. Such process steps mayinclude steps involving mixing of the liquid with other fluids andmaterials as required. The exemplary valve further includes thecapability to selectively shut off liquid flow and to provide bypassflow in order to stop and bypass the flow of liquid from certain processequipment associated with the valve.

Exemplary arrangements specifically relate to a water control valve thatis selectively operative to enable the removal of undesirable chemicalsfrom water. The exemplary valve is operative to enable flow conditionsto be changed to regenerate a resin material in a tank when necessary tomaintain optimal performance of the system in removing undesirablesubstances. Exemplary arrangements further provide a valve that includesthe functionality of an integrated water shutoff valve and a bypassvalve. This exemplary valve arrangement eliminates the need for separatevalves and piping to accomplish such functions.

Further exemplary arrangements include a readily changed or modifiedvalve controller for operation of the exemplary valve. The exemplaryvalve controller enables the valve controller to be readily installed,removed and replaced when necessary for maintenance or repair purposes.Further the exemplary arrangement provides a means for readilyoperatively connecting the valve controller and the valve body so thatthey may operate together.

Numerous other novel arrangements and features are described inconnection with the exemplary embodiments discussed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an exemplary control valveincluding a movable piston and a plurality of annular flow passagesconfigured for use in connection with a water treatment tank.

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 which shows the control valve in adifferent operating condition.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 which shows the control valve in yetanother operating condition.

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 1 which shows the control valve inanother operating condition.

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 1 which shows the control valve inanother operating condition.

FIG. 6A is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the control valve in anotheroperating condition in which flow of liquid into the valve is shut offand pressure on the outlet port is maintained.

FIG. 6B is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the control valve in anotheroperating condition in which flow of liquid into the valve is shut offand pressure on the outlet port is relieved.

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 1 which shows the flow of liquidthrough the treatment tank bypassed through the valve.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view showing an exemplary valve controllerhousing and a valve base being moved toward an operative position.

FIG. 9 shows the valve base and valve controller housing in an operativeposition.

FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an alternative exemplarycontrol valve.

FIG. 11 is an isometric partial cutaway view of a portion of the valveassociated with a changeable injector.

FIG. 12 is an opposite hand partial cutaway showing the portion of thevalve in FIG. 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The exemplary arrangements of the embodiments described herein may beused in conjunction with the components, features, systems and methodsdescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/698,381 and/or14/698,399 filed Apr. 28, 2015, the disclosures of each of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Referring now to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1, it is showntherein an exemplary control valve generally indicated 10. Control valve10 includes a valve body 12. The valve body 12 is schematicallyrepresented and is comprised of one or more parts which function in themanner that is represented schematically in FIGS. 1-8.

The exemplary valve is used in operative connection with a watertreatment tank 14. Tank 14 of the exemplary arrangement is a watersoftener tank that extends generally vertically with the valve 10positioned at the top thereof via a threaded or other releasableconnection. It should be appreciated that the water treatmentapplication is only an exemplary use for the control valve configurationand that the proportions of the tank as shown in the Figures are notnecessarily representative of tanks that may be utilized in connectionwith the control valve described. Rather, in most water treatmentarrangements the exemplary valve will be used with a verticallyelongated tank which is many times longer than the height of the valvebody. Further the exemplary valve may be used in conjunction with othertypes of processing systems and equipment.

The exemplary water treatment tank includes a top portion 16 and abottom portion 18. The exemplary tank includes a water treatmentmaterial 20 therein. In some exemplary arrangements, the water treatmentmaterial 20 comprises resin material that is suitable for ion exchangewith mineral laden water that is treated by flowing therethrough. Suchresin material may be comprised of plastic beads or zeolite materialthat has a negative charge. The exemplary operation of the watertreatment tank includes capturing ions in water that make the water“hard” such as calcium and magnesium ions and replacing such ions in thewater with ions that are not undesirable such as sodium ions. In otherembodiments other types of treatment materials other than ion exchangeresin materials may be used. These materials may include absorbentmaterials, filtration materials, catalytic materials, dissolvingmaterials, reacting materials or other types of materials. Of course itshould be understood that the types of liquid processing, treatmentmaterials and methods described are exemplary and in other arrangements,other types or additional types of equipment, materials, structures andelements for treating water or other liquids may be used.

In the exemplary arrangement, the tank 14 includes a central tube 22extending vertically therein. Tube 22 includes an internal tube conduit24. The exemplary tube conduit extends between a top end 26 of the tubeand a bottom end 28 of the tube. The bottom end of the tube is fluidlyopen to the area of the tank that includes the resin material. Thebottom end of the tube is in operative connection with a strainer 30.Strainer 30 operates to prevent the resin from entering the fluidconduit inside the tube.

The exemplary valve body includes at least one valve element thatselectively places ports of the valve in fluid communication. Anexemplary valve body includes an elongated cylindrical bore 32. The bore32 is elongated in a longitudinal direction which is the verticaldirection as the valve is shown in FIG. 1. The longitudinal directionmay alternatively be referred to as an axial direction herein. The bore32 has a movable piston 34 therein. The piston 34 includes on its outercircumferential surface, a plurality of longitudinally spaced recessedannular flow cavities such as cavity 36. The exemplary piston 34 alsoincludes a longitudinal flow cavity 38. Longitudinal flow cavity 38extends through the piston from a first longitudinal end 40 to a secondlongitudinal end 42.

The exemplary valve body further includes a plurality of annular flowcavities 44 for example, that extend in at least partially surroundingrelation of the bore 32. Although not shown in the drawings, but asdescribed in the incorporated disclosures, exemplary embodiments includeresilient seals that operatively extend between the piston and the wallsof the valve body that extend radially inward toward the bore. Theresilient seals are operative to prevent fluid flow between the radiallyoutwardly disposed annular surfaces of the piston and the annularradially inward extending walls bounding the flow cavities of the valvebody. In exemplary arrangements, the seals are configured to preventfluid flow other than through flow cavities that are in operative fluidconnection through the selective longitudinal positioning of the pistonas described herein.

In the exemplary embodiment, the piston 34 is in operative connectionwith a piston rod 46. The piston rod 46 is operatively connected to thesecond longitudinal end of the piston. The exemplary piston rod isoperatively connected to the piston through a releasable threadedconnection as shown. In the exemplary embodiment the threaded connectionincludes a coupling with fluid openings therethrough that enables theflow of liquid through the longitudinal flow passage. The coupling alsoenables the piston to be removed and replaced with a piston of adifferent configuration.

The exemplary piston rod extends through an opening 48 in the valvebody. A suitable resilient seal is provided adjacent the opening so asto prevent the escape of liquid from the inside of the valve body aroundthe piston rod. The piston rod is operatively connected at the endoutside the valve body to an actuator bracket 50. The actuator bracket50 is in operative connection with a valve controller of a type laterdescribed herein and/or as described in the incorporated disclosures.The valve controller is operative to selectively longitudinally move theactuator bracket and the piston rod so as to selectively position thepiston to provide different flow conditions. Of course it should beunderstood that this valve element configuration is exemplary and thatin other embodiments other at least one valve element configurationssuch as rotating elements, shutter elements or other types of fluid flowdirecting elements may be used.

The exemplary valve body includes a plurality of ports. The portsinclude an inlet port 52 which is designated with the letter A forpurposes of brevity. The exemplary inlet port is in operative connectionwith a source of untreated water. In exemplary embodiments, the sourceof untreated water may be a well, reservoir or other source of waterthat requires the treatment provided by passing the water through thewater treatment material tank. In exemplary arrangements the untreatedwater is provided at an elevated pressure to the inlet port 52. This isaccomplished through the use of a pump, the head of liquid in a tank orreservoir, or other suitable method for providing the water to the inletport at a positive pressure. As represented schematically in Figures,the inlet port A is in operative fluid connection with an annular flowcavity 53 within the exemplary valve body.

The valve body further includes an outlet port 54. Outlet port 54 whichis designated B for purposes of brevity, is configured to be inoperative connection with one or more devices that use treated water.For example, the outlet port 54 may be fluidly connected to a pipingsystem within the building in which the water treatment equipment isinstalled. In such an exemplary system the exemplary outlet port B is inoperative connection with treated water use devices such as faucets,showers, hot water tanks, etc. which deliver, store and/or use waterthat has been treated by having passed through the tank. Of course thisapplication is exemplary. As represented in Figures, the outlet port Bis in operative connection with an annular flow cavity 55 within thevalve body that is longitudinally disposed from the annular cavity inthe valve body that is connected to Port A.

The exemplary valve body further includes a drain port 56. Drain port 56which is designated C for purposes of brevity is configured in theexemplary system to be in operative connection with a drain whichreceives waste water. The drain port 56 is in operative connection withan annular flow cavity 57 within the valve body as represented in theFigures. Further it should be understood that although the drain port Cis configured to be in connection with a wastewater drain, the waterpassed from the exemplary drain port may be captured for treatment andrecycling or for other suitable purposes.

The exemplary valve body further includes a first tank port 58. Thefirst tank port 58 is labeled D for purposes of brevity herein. In theexemplary arrangement the first tank port D is fluidly connected throughthe valve to a first area at the top of a tank. This first area is on anupper side of the resin material 20 in the tank. In the exemplaryarrangement the first tank port 58 is above the level of the resinmaterial 20 as shown. Of course it should be understood that thisarrangement is exemplary and other arrangements of components may beused in connection with other embodiments.

The exemplary valve body further includes a second tank port 60. Thesecond tank port 60 which is labeled E for purposes of brevity, is inoperative connection with the tube conduit 24 within the tube 22. Thesecond tank port 60 is in operative fluid connection with the lower areaof the tank through an opening at the bottom end 28 of the tube and thestrainer 30. The second tank port 60 is in operative fluid connectionwith the lower side of the resin material.

The exemplary valve body further includes a further port that in theexemplary system is referred to as brine port 62. Brine port 62 which islabeled F for purposes of brevity, is configured for operativeconnection with a brine tank. The brine tank of exemplary embodimentsmay provide a slurry of water softener salt and water which produces abrine solution which is utilized for regenerating the resin material inthe tank in a manner that is later discussed. The exemplary brine port62 is in operative connection with a movable valve member 64. Themovable valve member 64 is movable within the valve body and dependingon the position of the movable valve member, is operative to place thebrine port 62 in fluid connection with at least one fluid cavity withinthe valve body. In the exemplary embodiment a moveable plunger 66 is inoperative connection with the at least one movable valve member 64. Aspring 68 is in operative connection with the plunger and serves to biasthe plunger upwardly from the valve body as shown so as to close thevalve member 64. As later explained in detail, the valve controller isoperative to selectively move the plunger 66 so as to operativelyconnect the brine port to flow cavities within the valve for purposes ofdelivering treated water out of the valve from the brine port and forreceiving brine material from the brine tank.

In the exemplary embodiment the valve includes an injector 71. Theinjector 71 is positioned in a passage 75. The injector further includesa check valve 73. The check valve 73 enables flow from the injector tothe flow cavity 44 and prevents flow in the opposite direction. In theexemplary arrangement the injector is removably positionable in thepassage 75.

The exemplary valve body further includes a passage 59. In theconfiguration shown in FIG. 1, the passage 59 is closed by a removableplug 61.

The exemplary valve body further includes a passage 65. Passage 65 isfluidly connected with annular cavity 55. The valve body furtherincludes a chamber 69. Chamber 69 is in fluid communication with passage65. A screen 67 is positioned fluidly intermediate of the passage 65 andthe chamber 69. Chamber 69 is in fluid connection with the injector 71.

The exemplary embodiment of the control valve operates in an exemplarysystem in a manner similar to that described in greater detail in theincorporated disclosure. A valve controller that is in operativeconnection and with the actuator bracket moves the bracket along thelongitudinal direction which is the vertical direction as shown in FIG.1 and selectively positions the piston to achieve a plurality of flowconditions along different flow paths through the valve. In an exemplaryfirst condition of the valve represented in FIG. 1, untreated water isreceived into the valve through the inlet A. Water passes through thevalve cavities of the piston and the valve body as represented by thearrows shown in FIG. 1. The untreated water is in fluid connectionthrough the valve with the first tank port D. In this flow condition thecheck valve 73 prevents flow of untreated water through the injector 71to cavity 55 and the outlet B. Untreated water flows from the first tankport downward through the top of the tank and into the resin material20. In some exemplary arrangements the top of the tank may include a gassuch as air or oxygen to react with materials dissolved in the incomingwater to produce reaction products that can be more readily separatedfrom the water. In the exemplary arrangement the water passing throughthe resin material undergoes an ion exchange in which calcium, magnesiumand other positively charged ions in the water are captured by the resinand replaced in the water with sodium ions which are present in theresin.

In the condition shown in FIG. 1 the water that has been treated bypassing downward through the resin passes through the strainer 30 andtravels upwardly through the tube conduit 24 to the second tank port E.From this position the now treated water passes through the valve bodyfrom the second tank port E to the treated water outlet port B. Thetreated water is passed from the water outlet B to piping and to thedevices which use the treated water.

In the exemplary embodiment the valve controller operates the valve todeliver treated water from the brine port F of the valve to the brinetank at selected appropriate times. This is done in the exemplary systemso that the brine solution is available for delivery to the valve 10 andthe resin material 20 when required. In order to provide availablebrine, the valve controller is operative to depress plunger 66 downwardas represented by arrow P as shown in FIG. 2. Moving the plungerdownward is operative to move the movable valve member 64. Movement ofthe valve member 64 enables water that has been treated by passingthrough the resin and received at the second tank port E to be passedout of the valve through the brine port F.

In this valve configuration, the treated water passes through thepassage 65, through the screen 67 and into the chamber 69. From thechamber 69 the water flows into the interior of the body of the injector71 (later described in detail) and to the brine port F past the openvalve element 64. It should be noted that the check valve 73 preventsthe flow of untreated water into the body of the injector 71. Further,passage 59 which has a configuration similar to the passage whichincludes the injector body 71, is fluidly blocked by the plug 61 so asto require treated water to flow through the passage 65, the screen 67and chamber 69 into the injector body.

In the exemplary system treated water is passed out through the brineport for a sufficient time to enable production of suitable brinesolution by mixing of the water with water softener salt that has beenplaced in the brine tank. The production of the brine and themeasurement of the salt levels and other features associated with thebrine tank are discussed in the incorporated disclosures. As can beappreciated from FIG. 2, with the piston 34 positioned as shown, whiletreated water is being delivered to the brine tank the exemplary valvecontinues to deliver treated water from the second tank port E of thetank to the water outlet B.

After a period of operation of the exemplary system, the amount of waterthat has been treated by passing through the resin material causes theions in the resin material to change their character to the point thatthe undesirable calcium and magnesium ions in the untreated water are nolonger satisfactorily replaced through the ion exchange with the moredesirable sodium ions. When this condition occurs, the resin treatmentmaterial can be cleaned and regenerated in the manner discussed in theincorporated disclosures and as described herein, so as to return theresin material to satisfactory performance. In various embodiments theneed to regenerate the resin may be determined on a timed basis, on thebasis of the amount of water that has passed through the tank, or basedupon sensing the properties of the treated water that has been deliveredfrom the outlet B through suitable electronic sensors. As can beappreciated, in exemplary systems while the resin in the water softeneris being regenerated, treated water may be supplied to the devices andsystems that use treated water from a storage tank holding a supply oftreated water or by treating the water with another water treatmentdevice.

Operation of the exemplary valve in a first step in a treatment mediaregeneration process is represented in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, thepiston 34 of the valve is moved so as to be disposed upward from thepositions shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. This is done in the exemplaryembodiment by moving the piston in the longitudinal direction bymovement of the actuator bracket 50 and the piston rod 46.

Movement of the piston 34 to the position shown in FIG. 3 causes theinlet and outlet ports A and B of the valve to be in fluid connectionwith the second tank port E. Further in this position of the piston, thefirst tank port D is in operative connection through the valve body withthe drain C. As represented by the water flow arrows shown in FIG. 3,the untreated water at the elevated pressure and some treated waterwhich can be drawn back through the water outlet port B, pass throughthe valve to the second tank port E and downward through the tube 22.The water passes through the bottom of the tube and outwardly throughthe strainer. The water is dispersed and flows upwardly through theresin 20 so as to backwash the resin. The backwash represents a reversalfrom the normal flow during water treatment and causes particles andother materials that have been captured in the resin to flow upward inthe tank.

The water flowing upward in the tank flows into the first tank port Dand through the valve body to the drain port C. As a result, theparticulates and other contaminants that can be dislodged and removed bybackwashing the resin are caused to flow out the top of the tank,through the valve and are discharged to a suitable waste drain throughthe drain port C. The backwash portion of the cycle continues for asuitable time in accordance with the programming of the valve controlleror associated control device to achieve the release of the majority ofthe particulates and contaminants that have been captured in the resinmaterial. The backwash operation may be continued on a timed or otherbasis sufficient to complete the operation.

At the conclusion of the backwash function, the exemplary valvecontroller is operative to change the condition of the valve to thatshown in FIG. 4. In the position of the piston 34 shown in FIG. 4, waterunder higher pressure from the inlet A as well as water pulled from theoutlet B passes through the valve body to the first tank port D. In thiscondition, the exemplary valve controller is operative to depress theplunger 66 and move the movable valve member 64 so as to open a flowpath in the valve body. This causes the brine port F to enable brinesolution to be received by the valve from the brine tank, into the flowof water as it moves through the valve body and to the first tank port Dat the top of the tank. In exemplary embodiments brine delivered to thebrine port F may be pressurized through operation of a pump or similardevice so as to facilitate the delivery of the brine into the valvebody. In other arrangements, the brine may be moved into the flow ofwater through venturi action or other suitable action which is suitablefor causing the brine to be moved into the brine port F and mixed in thewater that is flowing through the flow cavities of the valve body 12.

In the exemplary arrangement, treated water flows through the passage 65and the screen 67 into the chamber 69. From the chamber, the water flowsthrough an opening 63 and into the interior of the body of the injector71. The incoming brine from brine port F mixes with the water in theinterior of the injector body and flows in the direction in which flowis permitted past the check valve 73 at the inward end of the injector71. Once the brine containing water passes the check valve 73, it flowsthrough an interior passage of the valve to the first tank port D.

In the position of the exemplary valve element and valve controllerrepresented in FIG. 4, water including the fresh water softener saltsolution passes through the area at the top of the tank and passesdownward into the resin material 20. The ions from the brine materialflow into and migrate in the resin material, regenerating the supply ofsodium ions therein and displacing the calcium, magnesium and other ionscurrently bonded to the resin particles therein. The water and the ionsthat are displaced from the resin material pass through the strainer 30at the bottom of the tube 22 and flow upwardly to the second tank port Eat the bottom of the valve. In this position of the valve piston 34 thewater passing upwardly through the tube 22 passes through thelongitudinal flow cavity 38 of the piston, through the flow cavity atthe top of the valve body and out the drain port C. As a result,undesirable material is washed out of the resin and moved to the drainport.

The condition of the valve represented in FIG. 4 is maintained throughoperation of the valve controller for a period of time sufficient todraw an amount of brine into the tank that will regenerate the resin.Thereafter the exemplary valve controller operates to cause the plunger66 to no longer be positioned to cause the movable valve member 64 toenable brine to enter the valve body through the brine port F. Asrepresented in FIG. 5, the valve controller changes the position ofpiston 34 such that untreated water from the inlet A and water otherwisereceived from the outlet B pass through the valve body to the first tankport D. The check valve 73 of the injector 71 prevents flow to chamber69 through the injector. The water which no longer has the new brinemixed therein passes downwardly through the bed of resin material 20through the strainer and into the tube conduit 24 within the tube 22.

In this condition of the exemplary valve, the water from the tubeconduit passes upwardly through the tube 22 and the second tank port E,through the longitudinal flow cavity 38 in the piston and outwardly tothe drain port C of the valve body. Such flow through the resin providesa rinse function which is operative to cause any remaining regeneratebrine material in excess of that which is captured within the resinmaterial to be rinsed out and passed to the drain. The condition of thevalve shown in FIG. 5 is maintained through operation of the valvecontroller for a sufficient time to clear the excess regenerate materialfrom the tank. This may be done in some embodiments on a timed basis orother basis sufficient to accomplish the function.

Generally after regenerating the resin material as just described, theexemplary valve is returned by the valve controller to the flowcondition which is shown in FIG. 1. In this condition, untreated waterenters the inlet A of the valve body, passes through the valve body tothe first tank port D. The water then passes through the resin 20 whereit undergoes water treatment to remove undesirable materials and ionexchange is accomplished. The treated water then passes upwardly throughthe tube 22 to the second tank port E. The treated water then passes outof the valve body through the outlet B through which it is delivered tothe water distribution system in the building and the water use devices.Generally the valve remains in this condition until the cycle forregenerating the resin material needs to be repeated.

It should be noted that in the exemplary embodiment the position of thepiston 34 in the rinse position of the valve shown in FIG. 5, isimmediately linearly longitudinally adjacent to the piston position 34when the valve is in its usual service mode of operation in whichuntreated water is treated by flowing through the resin in the resin inthe tank 14. This configuration minimizes the introduction of untreatedwater or other undesirable material when the condition of the valve ischanged between the last step in which the remaining regenerate materialis rinsed and removed from the tank, and the valve causes the system togo back into normal service mode. Of course it should be understood thatthis approach is exemplary and in other arrangements other approachesmay be used.

The exemplary control valve 10 further provides the function of a valveshutoff which in the exemplary system separates the water treatment tank14 from the untreated water inlet A. This function can avoid the needfor an external shutoff valve to prevent untreated water from flowing tothe control valve and the tank.

FIG. 6A represents the condition of the exemplary valve 10 in a shutoffcondition. As can be appreciated in the exemplary system when it isdesired to shut off the flow of untreated water to the valve and to thetank, the valve controller operates to cause the piston 34 to be movedto the position shown in FIG. 6A. In this position of the piston 34, theflow of untreated water into the inlet A is stopped by the position ofthe piston in which the annular flow cavities then connected to theinlet are not open to any other flow cavities within the valve.

As represented in FIG. 6A, the first tank port D is likewise incommunication with a flow cavity within the valve that is not fluidlyconnected to any other flow cavity. In this position of the piston, thewater outlet B is in operative connection with the second tank port E.Water pressure is effectively maintained at the outlet B unless a wateruse device is turned on which reduces such pressure. As a result, flowis effectively discontinued on a selective basis through actuation ofthe valve controller. Of course it should be understood that thisparticular configuration is exemplary and in other embodiments, otherconfigurations may be utilized for purposes of shutting off the flowbetween the water inlet A and the water outlet B.

FIG. 6B represents the exemplary valve in a further shutoff condition.In the shutoff condition shown in FIG. 6B, the exemplary piston 34 is ina somewhat different longitudinal position from the position of thepiston in FIG. 6A. In the position shown in FIG. 6B, the flow ofuntreated water into inlet A is stopped and untreated water supplied atthe inlet does not flow through the valve to any other port.

However, in the position of the piston 34 in FIG. 6B fluid pressure atoutlet port B is relieved to the drain port C. This is achieved byhaving fluid ports B, E, D and C in fluid communication. In thisposition of the valve element almost all the fluid pressure is releasedfrom the outlet port C as well as from the lines and devices of thewater delivery system to which the valve is connected.

In some exemplary arrangements the valve may be placed with the valveelement in the shut off position shown in FIG. 6A or FIG. 6B dependingon the circumstances under which flow through the valve is shut off. Forexample in systems for water management such as described in theincorporated disclosures of U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 14/698,381and/or 14/698,399, the valve may be controlled to be in the shutoffcondition with pressure maintained on the outlet port B when the fluidflow is to be shut off, but the delivery system is to remain pressurizedat the normal level. In such circumstances the exemplary valve isconfigured as shown in FIG. 6A. However, if the water management systemoperates in response to conditions where the outlet port and waterdistribution system is programmed to be depressurized, the controlleroperates to configure the exemplary valve in the shutoff position shownin FIG. 6B. This may be done for example, when a probable system leak isdetected. In such circumstances the central controller of the watermanagement system may operate to minimize water damage, by not onlyshutting off further incoming water, but also by relieving pressure atthe outlet port B so that water in the distribution system can pass outof the valve to the drain C. This may reduce the amount of water whichcomes out of the system at the site of the leak. Of course this approachis exemplary and in other embodiments, other approaches may be used.

A further feature of the exemplary embodiment of valve 10 when used inthe exemplary water treatment system is the ability to operate the valvecontroller to allow incoming water to bypass the water treatment tank14. For example in an exemplary system there are some situations such aswhen delivering water to an external spigot to wash off a sidewalk,irrigate plants and the like, when it may not matter that the water isuntreated. Further in some situations the amount of water required for aparticular activity may be relatively large compared to the amount ofwater that is used in circumstances where it is highly desirable for thewater to be treated by having been treated by having passed through thetank 14.

In situations where it is desirable to deliver untreated water for useby a particular device, the exemplary valve controller may be operatedto cause the piston 34 in the valve 10 to be moved to the longitudinalposition shown in FIG. 7. In this piston position, untreated water whichis delivered at the inlet A is passed through the valve body directly tothe outlet B without passing through the resin material 20 in the tank.In this way, the untreated water is provided to the water use devicesfor as long as untreated water is desired. After the activity isaccomplished for which the untreated water will be used, suitablesignals can be delivered to the valve controller to return the valvecondition to that shown in FIG. 1 in which the water is again treated bypassing through the tank.

Of course it should be understood that the valve configuration shown isexemplary and in other embodiments other valve configurations havingdifferent valve body arrangements, valve element configurations, portsand other structures may be utilized. Further, while the exemplaryembodiment has been described in connection with a water treatmentprocess, other embodiments may be utilized in connection with othertypes of fluid treatment equipment and processes.

The exemplary embodiment of the valve controller includes features thatenable the valve controller housing to be readily installed inconnection with the valve. Further this exemplary construction enablesthe valve controller to be readily replaced or serviced.

An exemplary embodiment of the valve controller 70 is represented inFIGS. 8 and 9. The exemplary valve controller is operative toselectively move the actuator bracket 50 and the piston rod 46 toposition the piston 34 longitudinally within the valve body 12 in themanner previously discussed herein. The actuator 70 may include thefeatures and devices of the incorporated disclosures so as to carry outthis function. Of course it should be appreciated that in otherembodiments, other types of structures, devices and mechanisms may beutilized for purposes of providing selectively controlled movement ofone or more valve elements.

In the exemplary embodiment of the controller 70 a valve base 72 isconfigured to be in operative connection with the valve body 12 of thevalve 10. A valve controller housing 74 is configured to be selectivelyengageable with the valve base and placed in an operative position inwhich the valve controller may change the condition of the valve. Thevalve controller housing 74 is also configured to be readilydisengageable from the valve base for reconfiguration, replacement orrepair.

In the exemplary arrangement, the valve controller housing and the valvebase include interengaging projections and slots to provide for thesecure engagement and selective disengagement of the valve base andhousing. Although it should be understood that the interengagingprojections and slots may be in fixed connection with either of theengageable components, in the exemplary embodiment the valve baseincludes a pair of elongated rail projections 76. The pair of elongatedrail projections 76 extend on opposed sides of the piston rod 46 andextend generally perpendicular to the longitudinal direction in whichthe piston rod is moveable.

The exemplary elongated rail projections are configured to be engaged incaptured relation by elongated recessed slots 78. Elongated slots 78extend in portions of the valve controller housing 74. The exemplaryslots 78 are configured such that the rails 76 once extended therein arecaptured and immovable in all directions except along the direction ofthe rail projections designated by arrows R in FIG. 8. The secureengagement of the projections and slots may be achieved in differentembodiments by interengaging tabs, flanges or other structures on theprojections and slots which only enable such items to be engaged anddisengaged by movement along the direction of arrows R.

The exemplary valve controller housing 74 further includes a pair ofdeformable members 80. Deformable members 80 each terminate at a hook82. Each hook 82 is configured to engage and hold tabs 84 that areoperatively connected with at least one wall when the valve controllerhousing is in the operative position as shown in FIG. 9. It should beunderstood, however, that the hook and tab configuration shown isexemplary and in other arrangements, the configuration may be reversedsuch that the hooks are included in engagement with the valve base andthe structures for engaging the hooks are included on the valvecontroller housing. Further, other structures may be utilized forselectively holding and releasing the valve base and valve controllerhousing in the operative position.

In the exemplary arrangement, the actuator bracket 50 is configured tobe readily operatively engaged with and disengaged from the structureswhich operate to selectively move the actuator bracket which are part ofthe valve controller housing. In the exemplary arrangement, the actuatorbracket 50 includes a longitudinally elongated guide yoke portion 86.Guide yoke portion 86 includes a longitudinally elongated guide slot 88.The exemplary actuator bracket is further configured to include anactuator recess 90. Actuator recess 90 includes an elongated actuatorslot that is elongated in a direction transverse to the longitudinaldirection.

In an exemplary arrangement, the guide slot 88 in the guide yoke portionis configured to accept a guide pin 92 on the housing in movablerelation therein. In the exemplary arrangement, the valve controllerhousing 74 includes a pair of deformable holding projections 94. Theholding projections are spaced apart in symmetric relation relative toguide pin 92 and are sized to enable the guide yoke portion 86 to extendin movable relation between the holding projections. In the exemplaryarrangement, each of the holding projections includes an angled hook end96. Hook ends 96 of the holding projections 94 extend in facing relationand are configured to enable the guide yoke portion to be moved betweenthe holding projections and held between the projections by the hookends. As a result, the guide yoke portion is enabled to move in alongitudinal direction while positioned between the holding projectionsand in guided relation in the longitudinal direction by the guide pin92. Further the hook ends 96 serve to prevent the guide yoke portionfrom moving out of the area between the holding projections and beingdisengaged from the guide pin.

It should be understood that this approach is exemplary and in otherarrangements, one or more guide pins may be positioned on an actuatorbracket which engage with slots or other openings in the housing.Further other structures may be utilized for engaging the actuatorbracket or similar structures in releasable movable connection.

Further in the exemplary arrangement, the actuator recess 90 isconfigured to receive therein an actuator pin 98. Actuator pin 98 of theexemplary arrangement is operative to be selectively moved in an arcuatepath responsive to operation of the valve controller 70. In theexemplary arrangement, the actuator pin 98 is positioned on a rotatablemember that is selectively rotated so as to control the relativevertical position of the actuator pin, and thus control the movement andlongitudinal position of the piston 34 through longitudinal movement ofthe actuator bracket 50.

In the exemplary arrangement, the actuator pin is selectively moved inan arcuate path which causes the pin 98 to move relatively transverselywithin the actuator recess 90. The selective positioning of the actuatorpin 98 along its arcuate path as determined through operation of thevalve controller 70 is usable to selectively position the actuatorbracket 50 and the piston 34 in operative connection therewith, in thedesired positions to achieve the desired flow conditions through thevalve.

Further, the exemplary arrangement enables the bracket to be readilyoperatively disengaged from the valve controller housing 74. As can beappreciated, disengagement of the deformable members 80 from the tabsallows relative movement of the valve base 72 and the valve controllerhousing 74 along the direction of arrow R and in an opposed directionfrom when the base and housing are being engaged. In the exemplaryarrangement, the holding projections 94 are movable and deformable toenable the hook ends 96 to release the guide yoke portion 86 of thebracket 50 from being held in intermediate relation of the holdingprojections 94. In addition, in the exemplary embodiment the actuatorpin 98 may be moved out of the elongated actuator slot 90. Thus theactuator housing and the components attached thereto may be readilydisengaged from the valve base 72. Thereafter a new valve controllerhousing 74 may be readily engaged with the valve base 72 and theactuator bracket 50. Such replacement may be done for repair ormaintenance purposes. Alternatively an alternative valve actuatorhousing may be installed to provide additional or different features andfunctions for operation of the valve and related components such as theexemplary water treatment system. For example a valve controller thatoperates based on wired connections with other system components may bereplaced with a valve controller that communicates wirelessly with othercomponents, and vice versa. Alternatively the valve controller may bereplaced to convert the valve and associated equipment to operate via adifferent method of operation. Of course it should be understood thatthese approaches are exemplary and in other embodiments, otherapproaches may be used.

Further in the exemplary arrangement as shown in FIG. 9 the valvecontroller housing 74 includes a rotatable member 100 which includes camsurfaces 102 thereon. The cam surfaces 102 are configured to operativelyengage the plunger 66 and displace the plunger so as to control themovement of the movable valve member 64 within the valve body. In theexemplary arrangement the rotatable member 100 and cam surfaces 102 areconfigured so that the valve controller housing 74 can be disengagedfrom the valve base 72 without interference with the plunger member 66.This further facilitates the ready installation and replacement of thevalve controller housing. As can be appreciated, the exemplary valvecontroller includes a pair of cam surfaces 102 which enables opening themovable valve member twice during a single rotation of the rotatablemember. This may correspond, for example, to operation of the valve andits associated equipment in connection with a method that requiresopening of the movable valve element 64 two times during a particularoperation cycle such as the one previously described. Of course itshould be understood that in other embodiments, different numbers of camsurfaces may be utilized. Further other exemplary arrangements mayinclude valves with additional valve elements and cam members so as toenable the introduction of other liquids and fluids into the valve atvarious selected cycle times during operation of the valve and theassociated equipment.

As represented in FIG. 9, the exemplary valve controller includes amotor 104. The motor 104 is in operative connection with a transmissiongenerally referred to as 106. The transmission of the exemplaryembodiment includes a plurality of connected gears or similar motiontransmission devices that are selectively moved through operation of themotor 104. The transmission 106 of the exemplary arrangement isoperative to move the actuator pin 98, rotatable member 100 and otherstructures which control the positioning of the valve components in acoordinated manner so as to achieve the desired coordinated operation ofthe valve structures. Further the exemplary valve controller includes anencoder 108. The encoder 108 moves in coordinated relation with one ormore components of the transmission. One or more sensors (such as anoptical sensor) is in operative connection with the encoder throughoperation of control circuitry such as is described in the incorporateddisclosures. The encoder and associated sensor or sensors may beutilized to determine the then current status and/or position of thevalve components so as to enable the valve controller to selectivelymove the various components associated with the valve in the desiredmanner. Of course it should be understood that the transmission, motor,encoder and other structures of the valve controller shown are exemplaryand in other embodiments, other types of valve controller arrangementsmay be utilized.

FIG. 10 shows schematically an alternative embodiment of a control valvegenerally indicated 110. Control valve 110 is generally similar tocontrol valve 10 previously described except as otherwise mentioned.Control valve 110 corresponds to a control valve that has beenreconfigured so as to enable the carrying out of different functionalprocesses as discussed herein.

Control valve 110 includes a valve body 112. Valve body 112 isconfigured for operative attachment to the water treatment tank 114.This may be for example by releasable threaded connection. In exemplaryarrangements valve body 112 may be identical to body 12. Like thepreviously described water treatment tank, the exemplary tank has a topportion 116 and a bottom portion 118. The exemplary tank houses watertreatment material such as a resin material 120. The resin material maybe one of the types like those previously described. Of course othertypes of water treatment materials or combinations of materials may beused in other embodiments. Further it should be understood that thewater treatment process performed using the control valve is merely oneexample of an application for the particular control valve arrangement.

The exemplary water treatment tank includes therein a tube 122 whichprovides a conduit 124 between the top and bottom portions of the tank.The top end of the tube 126 is operatively connected to the valve body112. The bottom end of the tube 128 is in operative connection with astrainer 130.

Similar to the previously described control valve 10, the valve body 112includes at least one movable valve element. The exemplary valveincludes a generally cylindrical, longitudinally extending bore 132. Apiston 134 is selectively movable in the longitudinal direction withinthe bore 132. It should be noted that the exemplary piston 134 has thesame configuration as piston 34 of the previously described embodiment.As in the prior embodiment the exemplary valve is configured to enablethe piston to be changeable.

As discussed in connection with the previously described embodiment,piston 134 includes a plurality of annular recesses which define annularflow cavities 136. Annular flow cavities also generally surround thebore and are longitudinally spaced within the body of the valve. Piston134 also includes a longitudinal flow cavity therethrough 138. Piston134 includes a first longitudinal end 140 and a second longitudinal end142. As in the case with the previously described embodiment, the secondlongitudinal end includes a threaded portion adjacent the secondlongitudinal end 144 which is releasibly engageable with a coupling 144.The coupling 144 of the exemplary arrangement provides for operativereleasable connection of the piston 134 and a piston rod 146. As withthe prior embodiment, the coupling 144 enables fluid to flowtherethrough through the longitudinal flow cavity 138 of the piston.

In the exemplary arrangement associated with the control valve 110, thepiston 146 is in operative connection with an actuator bracket 150.Actuator bracket 150 is configured to be moved by a valve controllerwhich may be similar to the valve controller 70 previously discussed. Ofcourse it should be understood that in other embodiments, other types ofvalve controllers may be used.

Like previously described control valve 10, control valve 110 furtherincludes an inlet port 152 which is labeled A for purposes of brevityherein. The valve also includes an outlet port 154 labeled B. Theexemplary valve further includes a drain port 156 labeled C. Valve 110further includes a first tank port 158 labeled D and a second tank port160 labeled E. The exemplary valve 110 further includes a brine port 162(labeled F). The brine port F similar to the previously describedembodiment, is connected to a fluid passage within the valve which isopened and closed through selective movement of a movable valve member164. The movable valve member 164 is moved between open and closedpositions through movement of a plunger 166 which is biased toward thevalve member closing position by a spring 168. As is the case with theprior described embodiment, the plunger 166 may be selectively movedbetween the open and closed positions of the valve through operation ofthe valve controller. This may be done by engagement with cam surfacessuch as cam surfaces 102 previously described. Of course in otherarrangements, other approaches may be used.

Similar to the previously described valve, valve 110 includes a flowpassage 165 which is fluidly connected to a chamber 169. A screen 167 ispositioned such that fluid passes through the screen 167 to reach thechamber 169.

Valve 110 includes a passage 170 similar to passage 59 that is disposedbelow the passage 165 as shown and a further passage 172 similar topassage 75 that is disposed above passage 165. An injector 171 that issimilar to injector 71 is positioned in passage 170. The injector 171includes a check valve 194. A plug 174 which may be similar to the plug61 of the previously described embodiment is positioned in passage 172.In the exemplary embodiment a fluid passage that is not separately shownextends between the passage 172 and passage 170. This fluid passage isseparate from the fluid passage 165 and enables the brine port F tocommunicate with both passages 170 and 172. In this exemplaryarrangement, the plug 174 positioned in the passage 172 enables thebrine port F to be in communication with the passage 170 and theinjector 171. This enables the injector body to be in fluidcommunication with the brine port when the valve member 164 is open.

In the exemplary valve 110 a removable cover 176 closes the chamber 169.In the exemplary arrangement suitable sealing elements such as gasketsand fastening members such as screws are provided to enable holding thecover to the rest of the valve body and for maintaining the chamber 169in fluid tight engagement therewith. In the exemplary arrangement thecover 176 enables selectively accessing the passages 170 and 172 as wellas the plug and injector that may be positioned therein. This enablesthe exemplary valve 110 to be configured such that the injector may beselectively positioned in either one of the fluid passages 170 or 172.Likewise the plug 174 can be selectively positioned in the other one ofthe passages 170 or 172 in which the injector 171 is not currentlypositioned.

FIGS. 11 and 12 are cutaway views of the portion of the valve body 112and the passages 170 and 172. In the arrangement shown in FIGS. 11 and12, the injector 171 is shown positioned in passage 172 while the plug174 is positioned in passage 170. This corresponds to the configurationof the injector and plug shown in valve 10 that has the positions of theinjector and plug reversed from that shown in valve 110. Thus as can beappreciated, the exemplary embodiment of valve 110 enables a personassembling the valve initially to selectively position the injector body171 and plug 174 in either passage 170 or passage 172 as is appropriatefor the operation of the particular control valve. Further thisexemplary configuration may enable a service technician or personmodifying the valve to remove the cover and change the positions of theinjector body and the plug so as to modify the operational capabilitiesof the valve. Further in other alternative arrangements the valve may beconfigured to have plugs positioned in both of the passages 170 and 172.This might be done, for example, to have a valve that operates not tohave brine solution or other material introduced into the liquid thatpasses through the valve. Alternatively in still other arrangementsinjectors or other elements may be positioned in both of the fluidpassages. This might be done, for example, in valve configurations wherein multiple positions of the piston, it is desirable to introduce brinesolution or other material into the liquid flow.

It should also be appreciated that alternative arrangements may beutilized in connection a valve configuration like that described. Forexample, check valves or other arrangements may be utilized so as toallow fluid flow in an opposite direction from that permitted by thecheck valve of the injector so that fluid may be enabled to flow intothe chamber 169 in certain longitudinal positions of the piston forproducing a desired flow path. Further in other alternativearrangements, the chamber 169 may have multiple segregated areas so asto be in connection with additional ports or flow paths through thevalve. Such capabilities may provide additional flow alternatives to thevalve which enable the valve to provide additional capabilities. As canbe appreciated, those skilled in the art can develop numerous changeablevalve configurations suitable for different processes and equipment fromthe description provided herein.

Further in the exemplary arrangement the plug 174 includes disposedannular seals 178 and 180. These disposed annular seals are comprised ofresilient material that engage the adjacent walls of the flow passage soas to provide fluid tight engagement therewith. However, as can beappreciated, the body portion 182 of the plug 174 that extends betweenthe seals is spaced inwardly from the annular wall bounding the passage170. This provides the capability for fluid to occupy and flow in thearea between the annular wall bounding the passage and the body portion182 without the fluid being able to flow directly into the chamber 169or the passage 184 which can fluidly connect with the area adjacent tothe second tank port 160. As can be appreciated, this exemplaryconstruction of the plug 174 when positioned in the passage 172 asrepresented in FIG. 10 enables the brine solution which enters thepassage 172 to flow around the body portion 182 of the plug member andinto the chamber 170 to reach the injector 171.

As also shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the exemplary injector 171 includesdisposed annular resilient seals 186, 188 and 190 which engage insealing relation the adjacent annular wall bounding the passage 172. Theexemplary injector includes a liquid inlet 192 similar to opening 63 ata first end, and an outlet from the check valve 194 at the opposed end.In the exemplary arrangement the seals 186 and 188 bound an area 198which can be filled with the brine solution which is received thereinwhen the valve member 164 is open. Brine in the area 198 is drawnthrough openings 200 in the injector body as liquid flows therethrough.This causes the brine solution to be mixed with the liquid as it flowsthrough the injector body in the manner previously discussed. Treatedwater can also be delivered from area 198 to the port F in anappropriate valve condition like that previously discussed. Of course itshould be understood that this injector configuration is exemplary andin other valve and system arrangements, other approaches andconfigurations may be used.

In the exemplary system used in conjunction with valve 110 and shown inFIG. 10, the valve may be operated in conjunction with the watertreatment tank in a manner similar to that previously described inconnection with valve 10. However, in this exemplary embodiment, theselective positioning of the piston 134 by the valve controllerassociated with the valve enables the regeneration of the resin material120 housed in the tank 114 via the upward flow of the brine solutionrather than via a downward flow of the brine solution such as isdescribed in connection with the operation of valve 10 and representedin FIG. 4. In the prior described example of the system used inconnection with valve 10, the brine solution acts to regenerate theresin material housed in the tank by flowing from the upper surfacethereof and to the bottom area and out the tube 22. In the operation ofvalve 110, regeneration is accomplished by distributing the brinesolution initially from the bottom end of the tube 128 and having thesolution migrate radially outwardly from the strainer and upwardlythrough the resin so as to provide for regeneration thereof. This may bemore effective for some resin materials or tank configurations. Furtherit should be appreciated that because in some exemplary arrangements thepiston 134 and valve body 112 may be identical to piston 34 and valvebody 12 respectively, the change in capability from downflowregeneration to upflow regeneration may be accomplished by changing therespective positions of the injector and the plug within the valve bodyand changing the programming associated with the controller so that thecontroller positions the piston in a different position (e.g. theposition shown in FIG. 4 for downflow and the position shown in FIG. 10for upflow). This is useful in that the need for servicers andinstallers to have a stock of different valves for upflow and downflowregeneration can be avoided.

As can be appreciated, the method for configuring the exemplary valvefor either upflow or downflow regeneration includes removing the cover176 to access the chamber 169. The injector 171 and the plug 174 arepositioned in the passages 170, 172 in the manner appropriate for theregeneration approach desired for the unit. The cover 176 is theninstalled to fluidly seal chamber 169. The valve controller 70 isprogrammed via one or more inputs through an appropriate input devicesuch as a laptop or handheld computer, which inputs controllerexecutable instructions that cause the piston to move to the appropriateposition for the regeneration approach to be used. Further these methodsteps can be used to change the regeneration approach of an existingunit. This capability of the exemplary embodiments to be configured asdesired without the need to change valve bodies, pistons or actuatorscan be useful and cost effective.

In the exemplary operation of the valve 110, the valve is enabled tooperate in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with valve10 and is represented in FIGS. 1-3 and 5-7.

It should be appreciated that in the exemplary arrangement, the plug 174is configured so that treated water can be directed out of the brineport F in a manner similar to that described in FIG. 2 due to theconfiguration of the plug and the annular flow chamber which extendsaround the central body portion 182 thereof. As a result, treated wateris enabled to be delivered from the area 198 of the injector body, tothe brine port and into a brine tank holding material so as to produce abrine solution which can later be introduced to regenerate the resin ina manner like that discussed in connection with the prior embodiment.

When the resin material 120 in the water treatment tank 114 is to beregenerated, the piston 134 is moved to the position shown in FIG. 10.In this position, brine solution produced in the brine tank is drawninto the brine port F due to the opening of the movable valve element164. The brine is drawn through the annular chamber around the centralbody portion 182 of the plug 174 and passes through the fluid passageinto the area 198 of the injector body 171. Water flows from the inlet Athrough the passage 165 and into the chamber 169. From the chamber 169,the water flows through the injector body 171 where it is mixed with thebrine solution and passes downwardly through the tube 122. Theregenerate brine laden water then passes through the bottom of the tube128 through the strainer and upwardly through the resin material 120where it replaces the ions of contaminants that have been removed fromthe water previously treated. The released ions and other contaminantsflow upwardly through the first tank port D and out through the drain Cof the valve. This process is carried out for a sufficient time so as toregenerate the capabilities of the resin to remove undesirable materialsfrom water which is passed therethrough after completion of the resinregeneration cycle. Of course it should be understood that theseapproaches and configurations are exemplary and in other embodiments,other configurations and process approaches may be utilized. Further itmay be appreciated that the water treatment application for valve 110and the structures and elements described in connection therewith isonly one of many exemplary applications in which such elements andstructures may be used.

Thus the exemplary embodiments achieve improved operation, eliminatedifficulties encountered in the use of prior valve devices and systemsand attain the useful results described herein.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity,clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to beimplied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposesand are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions andillustrations herein are by way of examples and the new and usefulconcepts are not limited to the features shown and described.

It should be understood that the features and/or relationshipsassociated with one embodiment can be combined with features and/orrelationships from another embodiment. That is, various features and/orrelationships from various embodiments can be combined in furtherembodiments. The inventive scope of the disclosure is not limited toonly the embodiments shown or described herein.

Having described the features, discoveries and principles of theexemplary embodiments, the manner in which they are constructed andoperated, and the advantages and useful results attained, the new anduseful features, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations,systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships areset forth in the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. An apparatus comprising: a control valve configured for usein connection with a liquid treatment tank, comprising: a valve body,wherein the valve body includes a plurality of fluid ports, wherein theports include an untreated liquid port (A), wherein the untreated liquidport is configured to be operatively connected to a source of untreatedliquid at elevated pressure, a treated liquid port (B), wherein thetreated liquid port is configured to be operatively connected to atleast one treated liquid use device, a drain port (C), wherein the drainport is configured to be operatively connected to a waste liquid drain,a first tank port (D), wherein the first tank port is configured to beoperatively connected to a first area of the tank disposed on a firstside of a liquid treatment material in the tank, a second tank port (E),wherein the second tank port is configured to be operatively connectedto a second area of the tank disposed on a second side of the liquidtreatment material in the tank, a further port (F), wherein the furtherport F is configured to be in operative connection with a further tank,at least one movable valve element within the valve body, a plurality offlow cavities, wherein the at least one valve element is in operativeconnection with the plurality of flow cavities, wherein selected portsare enabled to be in fluid connection through the flow cavities, a valvecontroller, wherein the valve controller is operable to selectively movethe at least one valve element to a plurality of positions, wherein in afirst position ports A and D and ports B and E are in fluid connectionthrough the valve, whereby untreated liquid from the inlet port A isenabled to be treated by passing through the treatment material anddelivered from the valve through treated liquid port B, in a secondposition ports A, B and E, and ports D and C are in fluid connectionthrough the valve, whereby untreated liquid is enabled to backwash thetreatment material and to be discharged to the drain port C, in a thirdposition ports A, B and D and ports E and C are in fluid connectionthrough the valve, whereby treated and untreated liquid are enabled topass through the treatment material to the drain, in a fourth positionport A is not in fluid connection with any other port whereby flow ofuntreated liquid through the valve is enabled to be shut off, in a fifthposition ports A and B are in fluid connection through the valve wherebythe untreated liquid delivered at port A is enabled to be passed to theoutlet port B and thereby bypass the tank, wherein the valve includes atleast one movable further valve member, wherein movement of the at leastone further valve member is operative to selectively cause the furtherport F to be fluidly open to at least one flow cavity in the valve andclosed off from at least some flow cavities in the valve, wherein thecontroller is in operative connection with the at least one furthervalve member, wherein the valve controller is operative to cause the atleast one valve element to be positioned in the first position and tomove the at least one further valve member such that treated liquid isenabled to be delivered from port E to further port F so as to enabletreated liquid to be added to the further tank.
 2. The apparatusaccording to claim 1 wherein in the fourth position fluid pressure attreated liquid port B is maintained, wherein in a sixth position port Ais not in fluid communication with any other port whereby flow ofuntreated liquid through the valve is enabled to be shut off, andwherein in the sixth position fluid pressure on the treated liquid portB is relieved to drain port C.
 3. The apparatus according to claim 2wherein in the sixth position ports B, E, D and C are in fluidconnection through the valve.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 2wherein the valve body further includes a longitudinally elongatedcylindrical bore, wherein the at least one valve element includes apiston, wherein the piston is selectively longitudinally positionablewithin the bore, wherein at least one of the valve body and the pistonincludes a plurality of annular flow cavities.
 5. The apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein the valve controller is operative to causethe piston to be moved to the third position and the at least onefurther valve member to be moved such that a liquid mixture is enabledto be received into the valve through the further port F and deliveredto the first area of the tank through first tank port D with untreatedliquid from port A.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 4 wherein atleast one of the flow cavities extends annularly about the bore.
 7. Theapparatus according to claim 6 wherein at least one of the flow cavitiesextend annularly recessed about an outer circumference of the piston. 8.The apparatus according to claim 7 wherein at least one of the flowcavities extend in the longitudinal direction within the piston.
 9. Theapparatus according to claim 6 wherein the piston includes a firstpiston longitudinal end and a second piston longitudinal end opposed ofthe first piston longitudinal end, and wherein at least one flow cavityextends within the piston between the first and second pistonlongitudinal ends.
 10. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein thevalve controller is operatively connected to the second longitudinal endof the piston through a movable piston rod and a releasable coupling,whereby the piston is releasibly operatively connected with the pistonrod.
 11. The apparatus according to claim 9 wherein in the thirdposition the piston is in immediate longitudinal adjacent relation withthe piston in the first position.
 12. The apparatus according to claim 9wherein the longitudinal cylindrical bore is oriented in a generallyvertical direction, and wherein the valve body is in operative supportedconnection with a top of the tank.
 13. The apparatus according to claim12 and further comprising a tube, wherein the tube includes a tube fluidconduit therein, wherein the tube extends generally vertically withinthe tank, wherein the tube has a bottom end and a top end, wherein atthe bottom end the tube fluid conduit is fluidly open in the second areaof the tank, and at the top end the tube fluid conduit is in fluidconnection with port E.
 14. The apparatus according to claim 13 andfurther including a strainer, wherein the strainer is in operativeconnection with the tube fluid conduit at the bottom end of the tube,wherein the strainer is operative to generally keep liquid treatmentmaterial out of the tube fluid conduit.
 15. The apparatus according toclaim 14 and further comprising a piston rod, wherein the piston rodmovably extends in the bore and outside the valve body, a releasablecoupling in operative connection with the piston rod, wherein thereleasable coupling operatively connects the piston and the valvecontroller.
 16. The apparatus according to claim 15 and furthercomprising an actuator bracket, wherein the actuator bracket is inoperative connection with the piston rod, wherein the valve controlleris operative to cause selective movement of the actuator bracket. 17.The apparatus according to claim 16 and further including a valve base,wherein the valve base is in operative connection with the valve body,wherein the valve base includes at least one of an interengageableprojection and projection engaging slot, wherein the valve controllerincludes a valve controller housing, wherein the valve controllerhousing includes at least one of the other of the interengageableprojection and slot, wherein in an operative position, the valvecontroller housing is releasibly engageable with the valve base throughengagement of the at least one interengageable projection and slot. 18.The apparatus according to claim 17 wherein the at least one of theinterengageable projection and slot extend generally perpendicular tothe longitudinal direction.
 19. The apparatus according to claim 18wherein the valve controller includes at least one of a selectivelymovable actuator pin and an actuator recess, and the actuator bracketincludes the other of the at least one actuator pin and actuator recess,wherein in the operative position of the valve controller housing, theat least one actuator pin and actuator recess are in operativeengagement, wherein the actuator bracket is selectively movable by thevalve controller through such engagement.
 20. The apparatus according toclaim 18 wherein at least one of the valve controller housing and thevalve base is in operative connection with at least one hook and theother of the valve controller housing and the valve base is in operativeconnection with at least one hook engaging tab, wherein engagement ofthe at least one hook and the at least one hook engaging tab isoperative to hold the valve controller housing in the operativeposition.
 21. The apparatus according to claim 20 wherein one of thevalve controller housing and the actuator bracket is in operativeconnection with at least one of an interengaging guide pin and at leastone guide slot, and the other of the valve controller housing and theactuator bracket is in operative connection with the other of the atleast one guide pin and at least one guide slot, wherein in theoperative position of the valve controller housing the at least oneguide pin and the at least one guide slot are operatively slidablyengageable, wherein the actuator bracket is movably guided to move alongthe longitudinal direction.
 22. The apparatus according to claim 21wherein the valve base includes a pair of parallel elongated railprojections, wherein the rail projections extend generally perpendicularof the longitudinal direction, and wherein the valve controller housingincludes a pair of parallel slots each of which is configured to capturein slidable engagement a respective one of the rail projections.
 23. Theapparatus according to claim 22 wherein the valve controller housingincludes a spaced pair of deformable members, wherein each deformablemember includes a respective hook, wherein the valve base includes atleast one wall, wherein the at least one wall includes a pair of spacedtabs, wherein each hook is releasibly engageable with a respective tab,wherein engagement of the respective tabs and hooks is operative to holdthe valve controller housing in the operative position.
 24. Theapparatus according to claim 23 wherein the actuator bracket includes aguide slot, and wherein the valve controller housing includes a guidepin, and wherein at least one of the actuator bracket and the valvecontroller housing includes at least one holding projection, wherein theat least one holding projection is operative to releasibly hold theactuator bracket and guide slot in releasable movable engagement. 25.The apparatus according to claim 24 wherein the actuator bracketincludes a generally longitudinally extending guide yoke portion,wherein the guide slot extends in the guide yoke portion, wherein thevalve controller housing includes a pair of spaced holding projections,wherein the guide yoke portion is movable in the longitudinal directionin guided relation between the pair of spaced holding projections. 26.The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein each of the pair of spacedholding projections includes a tapered hook end, wherein the hook endsare in facing relation, wherein the guide yoke portion extends inintermediate relation between the pair of holding projections, and whenthe guide yoke portion is between the pair of holding projections, thetapered hook ends are operative to maintain the guide yoke portion inmovable guided relation between the pair of holding projections.
 27. Theapparatus according to claim 26 wherein each of the holding projectionsare comprised of deformable material, wherein the guide yoke portion isreleasibly engageable with the holding projections and the guide pin.28. The apparatus according to claim 25 wherein the actuator bracketincludes an actuator recess, and wherein the valve controller housingincludes a movable actuator pin, wherein the actuator recess includes anelongated actuator slot, wherein the actuator slot is elongated in adirection transverse of the longitudinal direction, wherein the actuatorpin is selectively movable along an arcuate path during operation of thevalve controller, wherein the pin movement along the arcuate path causesmovement of the actuator bracket along the longitudinal direction andmovement of the actuator pin transversely relative to the actuator slot.29. The apparatus according to claim 28 wherein the valve includes amovable plunger, wherein the plunger is in operative movable connectionwith the valve body, wherein the plunger is in operative connection withthe at least one movable further valve member, wherein the valvecontroller housing includes at least one selectively movable cam,wherein the cam is configured to releasibly engage the plunger, andwherein in the operative position of the valve controller housing, thecam is enabled to engage the plunger and is operative to cause selectivemovement of the at least one further valve member.
 30. The apparatusaccording to claim 4 wherein at least one of the flow cavities extendsannularly and radially outward about the bore, wherein at least one ofthe flow cavities extend annularly inwardly in an outer circumference ofthe piston, and wherein at least one of the flow cavities extends in thelongitudinal direction within the piston.
 31. The apparatus according toclaim 1 and further including a valve base, wherein the valve base is inoperative connection with the valve body, wherein the valve baseincludes at least one of an interengageable projection and projectionengaging slot, wherein the valve controller includes a valve controllerhousing, wherein the valve controller housing includes at least one ofthe other of the interengageable projection and projection engagingslot, wherein in an operative position, the valve controller housing isreleasibly engageable with the valve base through engagement of the atleast one interengageable projection and slot.
 32. The apparatusaccording to claim 31 wherein the at least one valve element is inoperative connection with an actuator bracket, wherein the valvecontroller includes at least one selectively movable actuator pin, andthe actuator bracket includes at least one actuator recess, and whereinin an operative position of the valve controller housing, the at leastone actuator pin and actuator recess are in operative engagement,wherein the actuator bracket is selectively movable by the valvecontroller through such engagement.
 33. The apparatus according to claim31 wherein at least one of the valve controller housing and the valvebase is in operative connection with at least one hook and the other ofthe valve controller housing and the valve base is in operativeconnection with at least one hook engaging tab, wherein engagement ofthe at least one hook and the at least one hook engaging tab isoperative to releasibly hold the valve controller housing in theoperative position.
 34. The apparatus according to claim 33 alongitudinally elongated cylindrical bore within the valve body, whereinthe at least one valve element includes a piston, wherein the piston isselectively longitudinally positionable in the bore, wherein the pistonis in operative connection with an actuator bracket, wherein one of thevalve controller housing and the actuator bracket is in operativeconnection with at least one of an interengaging guide pin and at leastone guide slot, and the other of the valve controller housing and theactuator bracket is in operative connection with the other of the atleast one guide pin and at least one guide slot, wherein in theoperative position of the valve controller housing, the at least oneguide pin and the at least one guide slot are in operatively slidingengagement, wherein the actuator bracket is guided to move along thelongitudinal direction.
 35. The apparatus according to claim 31 whereinthe valve controller housing includes a pair of deformable members,wherein each deformable member includes a respective hook, wherein thevalve base includes at least one wall, wherein the at least one wallincludes a pair of spaced tabs, wherein each hook is releasiblyengageable with a respective tab, wherein engagement of the respectivetabs and hooks is operable to hold the valve controller housing in theoperative position.
 36. The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein thevalve includes a movable plunger, wherein the plunger is in operativemovable connection with the valve body, wherein the plunger is inoperative connection with the at least one movable further valve member,wherein the valve controller housing includes at least one selectivelymovable cam, wherein the cam is configured to engage the plunger, andwherein in the operative position of the valve controller, the cam isenabled to engage the plunger and is operative to cause selectivemovement of the at least one further valve member.
 37. An apparatuscomprising: a control valve configured for use in connection with aliquid treatment tank, comprising: a valve body, wherein the valve bodyincludes a plurality of fluid ports, wherein the ports include anuntreated liquid port (A), wherein the untreated liquid port isconfigured to be operatively connected to a source of untreated liquidat elevated pressure, a treated liquid port (B), wherein the treatedliquid port is configured to be operatively connected to at least onetreated liquid use device, a drain port (C), wherein the drain port isconfigured to be operatively connected to a waste liquid drain, a firsttank port (D), wherein the first tank port is configured to beoperatively connected to a first area of the tank disposed on a firstside of a liquid treatment material in the tank, a second tank port (E),wherein the second tank port is configured to be operatively connectedto a second area of the tank disposed on a second side of the liquidtreatment material in the tank, at least one valve element movablewithin the valve body, a plurality of flow cavities, wherein the atleast one valve element is in operative connection with the plurality offlow cavities, wherein selected ports are enabled to be in fluidconnection through the flow cavities, a valve controller, wherein thevalve controller is operable to selectively move the at least one valveelement to a plurality of positions, wherein in a first position ports Aand D are fluidly connected through the valve and neither of ports A orD is fluidly connected with ports B, C or E through the valve, and portsB and E are fluidly connected through the valve and neither of ports Bor E is fluidly connected with ports A, C or D through the valve,whereby untreated liquid from the inlet port A is enabled to be treatedby passing through the treatment material and delivered from the valvethrough treated liquid port B, in a second position ports A, B and E arefluidly connected through the valve and none of ports A, B or E isfluidly connected with ports D or C through the valve, and ports D and Care fluidly connected through the valve and neither of ports D or C isfluidly connected with ports A, B or E through the valve, wherebyuntreated liquid is enabled to backwash the treatment material and to bedischarged to the drain port C, in a third position ports A, B and D arefluidly connected through the valve and none of ports A, B or D isfluidly connected to ports E or C through the valve, and ports E and Care fluidly connected through the valve and neither of ports E or C isfluidly connected to ports A, B or D through the valve, whereby treatedand untreated liquid are enabled to pass through the treatment materialto the drain, in a fourth position port A is not in fluid connectionwith any of ports B, C, D or E through the valve, whereby flow ofuntreated liquid through the valve is enabled to be shut off, in a fifthposition ports A and B are fluidly connected through the valve andneither of ports A or B is fluidly connected to ports C, D or E throughthe valve, whereby the untreated liquid delivered at port A is enabledto be passed to the outlet port B and thereby bypass the tank.
 38. Theapparatus according to claim 37 wherein the fourth position fluidpressure at treated liquid port B is maintained, wherein in a sixthposition port A is not in fluid communication with any other port,whereby flow of untreated liquid through the valve is enabled to be shutoff, and wherein in the sixth position fluid pressure on the treatedliquid port B is relieved to drain port C.
 39. The apparatus accordingto claim 38 wherein in the sixth position ports B, E, D and E are influid communication through the valve.
 40. An apparatus comprising: acontrol valve configured for use in connection with a liquid treatmenttank, comprising: a valve body, wherein the valve body includes aplurality of fluid ports, wherein the ports include an untreated liquidport (A), wherein the untreated liquid port is configured to beoperatively connected to a source of untreated liquid at elevatedpressure, a treated liquid port (B), wherein the treated liquid port isconfigured to be operatively connected to at least one treated liquiduse device, a drain port (C), wherein the drain port is configured to beoperatively connected to a waste liquid drain, a first tank port (D),wherein the first tank port is configured to be operatively connected toa first area of the tank disposed on a first side of a liquid treatmentmaterial in the tank, a second tank port (E), wherein the second tankport is configured to be operatively connected to a second area of thetank disposed on a second side of the liquid treatment material in thetank, at least one moveable valve element within the valve body, aplurality of flow cavities within the valve body, wherein the at leastone valve element is in operative connection with the plurality of flowcavities, wherein selected ports are enabled to be in fluid connectionthrough the flow cavities, a valve controller, wherein the valvecontroller is operable to selectively move the at least one valveelement to a plurality of positions, wherein in a first position ports Aand D and ports B and E are in fluid connection through the valve,whereby untreated liquid from the inlet port A is enabled to be treatedby passing through the treatment material and delivered from the valvethrough treated liquid port B, in a second position ports A, B and E,and ports D and C are in fluid connection through the valve, wherebyuntreated liquid is enabled to backwash the treatment material and to bedischarged to the drain port C, in a third position ports A, B and D andports E and C are in fluid connection through the valve, whereby treatedand untreated liquid are enabled to pass through the treatment materialto the drain, in a fourth position port A is not in fluid connectionwith any other port whereby flow of untreated liquid through the valveis enabled to be shut off, in a fifth position ports A and B are influid connection through the valve whereby the untreated liquiddelivered at port A is enabled to be passed to the outlet port B andthereby bypass the tank, wherein the valve controller includes a valvecontroller housing, wherein the valve controller housing includes atleast one deformable member, wherein each deformable member includes arespective hook, a valve base, wherein the valve base is in operativeconnection with the valve body, wherein the valve base includes at leastone wall, wherein the at least one wall includes at least one tab,wherein each hook is releasibly engageable with a respective tab,wherein engagement of at least one hook and tab is operative to hold thevalve controller housing in an operative position in which the piston ismovable responsive to the controller.